Prince Edward. No, uncle; but our crosses on the way
1570Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy
I want more uncles here to welcome me.

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years
Hath not yet dived into the world's deceit
Nor more can you distinguish of a man
1575Than of his outward show; which, God he knows,
Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart.
Those uncles which you want were dangerous;
Your grace attended to their sugar'd words,
But look'd not on the poison of their hearts :
1580God keep you from them, and from such false friends!

Prince Edward. I thank you, good my lord; and thank you all.
I thought my mother, and my brother York,
Would long ere this have met us on the way
Fie, what a slug is Hastings, that he comes not
To tell us whether they will come or no!
1590

Lord Hastings. On what occasion, God he knows, not I,
The queen your mother, and your brother York,
1595Have taken sanctuary: the tender prince
Would fain have come with me to meet your grace,
But by his mother was perforce withheld.

Duke of Buckingham. Fie, what an indirect and peevish course
Is this of hers! Lord cardinal, will your grace
1600Persuade the queen to send the Duke of York
Unto his princely brother presently?
If she deny, Lord Hastings, go with him,
And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.

Cardinal Bourchier. My Lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory
1605Can from his mother win the Duke of York,
Anon expect him here; but if she be obdurate
To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid
We should infringe the holy privilege
Of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land
1610Would I be guilty of so deep a sin.

Duke of Buckingham. You are too senseless—obstinate, my lord,
Too ceremonious and traditional
Weigh it but with the grossness of this age,
You break not sanctuary in seizing him.
1615The benefit thereof is always granted
To those whose dealings have deserved the place,
And those who have the wit to claim the place:
This prince hath neither claim'd it nor deserved it;
And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it:
1620Then, taking him from thence that is not there,
You break no privilege nor charter there.
Oft have I heard of sanctuary men;
But sanctuary children ne'er till now.

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Where it seems best unto your royal self.
If I may counsel you, some day or two
Your highness shall repose you at the Tower:
Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit
1635For your best health and recreation.

Prince Edward. I do not like the Tower, of any place.
Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord?

Prince Edward. That Julius Caesar was a famous man;
1655With what his valour did enrich his wit,
His wit set down to make his valour live
Death makes no conquest of this conqueror;
For now he lives in fame, though not in life.
I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham,—
1660

Prince Edward. My Lord of York will still be cross in talk:
Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.
1700

Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:
Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me;
Because that I am little, like an ape,
He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.

Duke of Buckingham. With what a sharp-provided wit he reasons!
1705To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle,
He prettily and aptly taunts himself:
So cunning and so young is wonderful.

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My lord, will't please you pass along?
Myself and my good cousin Buckingham
1710Will to your mother, to entreat of her
To meet you at the Tower and welcome you.

Prince Edward. An if they live, I hope I need not fear.
But come, my lord; and with a heavy heart,
Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.
[A Sennet. Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM]and CATESBY]
1725

Duke of Buckingham. Think you, my lord, this little prating York
Was not incensed by his subtle mother
To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). No doubt, no doubt; O, 'tis a parlous boy;
Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable
1730He is all the mother's, from the top to toe.

Duke of Buckingham. Well, let them rest. Come hither, Catesby.
Thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend
As closely to conceal what we impart:
Thou know'st our reasons urged upon the way;
1735What think'st thou? is it not an easy matter
To make William Lord Hastings of our mind,
For the instalment of this noble duke
In the seat royal of this famous isle?

Sir William Catesby. He for his father's sake so loves the prince,
1740That he will not be won to aught against him.

Duke of Buckingham. Well, then, no more but this: go, gentle Catesby,
And, as it were far off sound thou Lord Hastings,
1745How doth he stand affected to our purpose;
And summon him to-morrow to the Tower,
To sit about the coronation.
If thou dost find him tractable to us,
Encourage him, and show him all our reasons:
1750If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling,
Be thou so too; and so break off your talk,
And give us notice of his inclination:
For we to-morrow hold divided councils,
Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd.
1755

Duke of Buckingham. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive
Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots?

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Chop off his head, man; somewhat we will do:
And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me
1770The earldom of Hereford, and the moveables
Whereof the king my brother stood possess'd.